A BRITISH girl, 15, has become the youngest person in Europe to be fitted with bionic fingers.

    Chloe Holmes lost all her fingers to septicemia as a toddler and has never been able to pick things up for herself.

    But her parents have now forked out US$62,548 for a full set of bionic left digits which are controlled by electronic signals from the nerve endings in her hand.

    Chloe is now learning basic tasks such as cleaning her teeth and using a knife and fork for the first time.

    She said: “Growing up has been really difficult. I can’t play sports and I can’t hold things.

    “The best thing about my new hand is that now I can hold things. It is quite difficult, but I am getting used to it.

    “I’m looking forward to going back to school so everyone can see it.’’

    Chloe, of Swindon, Wilts, contracted streptococcal septicemia after being struck down with chicken pox aged three-and-a-half.

    She spent three months in Bristol Children’s Hospital, where her heart stopped four times and doctors feared she might not survive. Chloe lost all the fingers on her left hand and was left with one thumb and half a finger on her right hand.

    But her life has changed forever after being fitted with the bionic fingers, made by Touch Bionics in Scotland.

    Parents Sue and Pete, both 41, said they never had second thoughts despite the cost.

    “We were nervous going through the whole process because it is all new. They have only been doing it for about 18 months.

    “But it has completely changed her life, she can now do the simplest things, like clean her teeth and cut up her own food.’’

    The hand, which has been made specifically to fit Chloe’s hand, is fitted with sensors in the sleeve which enable her to control the digits.

    Chloe is the youngest and first person outside America to have the bionic fingers, which has put her at the center of attention on numerous occasions. (SD-Agencies)